Bus network of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston metropolitan area
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Network| File:MBTA logo.svg MBTA logo |
| Company type | Public transit agency |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Founded | August 3, 1964; 62 years ago (1964-08-03) |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area, Massachusetts |
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| Products | Bus transit services including local, express, crosstown, and Silver Line BRT routes |
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| Owner | Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's bus network encompasses 151 routes within the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region, each providing connections to the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, or other bus lines. A majority of these routes trace their origins to former streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway or suburban transit companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. Out of the total, the MBTA directly manages 147 routes, while four are contracted out to private operators; additionally, four suburban services receive partial MBTA funding.
The standard fare for local bus rides is $1.70 per trip as of 2024. Silver Line routes serving the waterfront (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the regular subway fare of $2.40. Express buses feature a dual-fare structure: $1.70 for local segments and $4.25 for express highway portions, both one-way.
Service adjustments were made during the COVID-19 pandemic with multiple routes suspended or modified; full restoration occurred in 2021, although some services remain discontinued. Since 2018, the MBTA has been implementing an extensive redesign of its bus network, aiming for completion by 2028. The initial phase was launched in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line operates as a six-route bus rapid transit system branded to emulate rapid transit service. It consists of two main segments: the Waterfront branch (SL1, SL2, SL3, and the rush-hour SLW shuttle), which travels through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street branch (SL4 and SL5), which runs along surface streets. Waterfront services charge fares equivalent to the subway system, whereas Washington Street routes maintain standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; Waterfront buses utilize hybrid technology with enhanced battery capacity enabling tunnel electric operation.
The SL5 route commenced in 2002 as a replacement for the former Washington Street Elevated. The Shuttle service began in 2004, followed by the introduction of SL2 and SL3 later that year. In 2005, SL1 was launched featuring dual-mode buses. The SL4 route started in 2009 as a substitute for a canceled Phase III tunnel project. A new SL3 extension serving Chelsea was inaugurated in 2018.
Crosstown
The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) routes that provide limited-stop service designed to connect key subway stations and major bus transfer locations efficiently. Initially introduced in 1994 with three routes, one—CT1—was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These lines cover almost all local transit within Boston's central metropolitan area, with the majority originally established as Boston Elevated Railway streetcar routes. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, this system has largely persisted since the BERy period, evolving through transitions under the Metropolitan Transit Authority and later the MBTA. While some smaller routes were consolidated into main trunk lines, additional routes have been introduced over time.
Seven routes—, , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These routes trace their origins to former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines acquired in 1972 and subsequently renumbered.
In 2004, fourteen routes—, , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus routes due to their high ridership levels and their role in supplementing subway service with frequent connections to densely populated urban neighborhoods. The MBTA's Bus Network Redesign beginning in 2024 is gradually replacing the key route classification with a more comprehensive frequent route network. Routes 28 and 39 operate using 60-foot articulated buses.
Four early morning round-trip services (191–194) run between peripheral stations and via multiple local routes. Although primarily intended for station personnel, these trips are available to all riders.
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131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 serve the Melrose region and originate from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. The now-defunct 136 and route 137 once extended to their original endpoints in Lowell and Lawrence, respectively. Route 132 was previously operated by Service Bus Lines before being absorbed by the MBTA in 1975.
171
Route 171 provides limited early morning service as a replacement for the CT3 line reduced from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were generally short-term services catering to industrial zones.
201–202
The original 20 belt route was created by the M.T.A. in 1962 by combining BERy's former 20 and 21 stub routes. In 2005, it was split into routes 201 and 202 to better indicate their respective loop directions.
210–245
The routes numbered 210 through 245 operate within the Quincy, Massachusetts vicinity, tracing their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. Following the gradual inauguration of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these services were adjusted to primarily conclude at rapid transit hubs such as .
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn regions, these routes derive from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell–Boston line, which was acquired by the MBTA in 1968 and subsequently shortened to terminate at Burlington.
411–465
Operating throughout Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes include two with weekend-specific short-turn versions (marked with suffix W) that terminate at Wonderland. The 411 and 430 routes were obtained from Service Bus Lines in 1975, while the remaining routes originated from Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway acquisitions in 1968.
501–558
These express bus routes provide a direct connection between Newton and downtown Boston, utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established in the 1960s to take advantage of the turnpike's expansion, the 500 series includes services initially operated by the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway (notably the 550 series). These routes were incorporated into MBTA operations by 1972 and were shortened to terminate at Newton Corner as of 2020.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA supports a number of suburban transit lines beyond its primary service region that interface with MBTA transit options. Radial commuter routes numbered 712 through 716, once run by private companies such as Rapid Transit Inc. and Nantasket Transportation, are now operated under contract but maintain MBTA branding.
Municipality-initiated local circulator services—identified without numerical designations—receive partial funding from the MBTA. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is overseen by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, these services are privately managed under contractual agreements.
